Time to hand the stage over to one of this year’s more noticeable entries – subtelty has never been understood by the Belarussians, and this year’s entry is no exception. I Love Belarus is so over the top and kitsch that it’s borderline cool and ridiculous!
Flanked by four backing singers in outfits in black, white and grey, Anastasiya takes to the stage sporting what looks like a Mary Quant inspired creation from the 60’s, a thigh length dress in black, grey and white in a bold geometric design. The keyboardist to her far right is also wearing a similar outfit.
Both Anastasiya and her backing singers have microphone stands that appear to be wrapped in fairy lights, looking horribly cheap and amateurish. Green lasers beam down onto the backing singers looking as if they have weapons aimed at them. I Love Belarus races along at breakneck speed with heavy use of the balalaika that conjures up imagery of national romanticism – cossack dancers, borscht and vodka.
The staging is striking – the backdrop starts off completely black but then bursts into life with patterns taken from the border of the Belarussian flag. White and red flashing lights complement the imagery but are far from easy on the eye.
The first run through was not much to write home about – obvious problems with the synchronization of Anatasiya’s vocals and the backing track were all too apparent, but theese were seemingly resolved by the second attempt. Her vocals were average – neither bad nor outstanding, but at times came across as shouting rather than singing. Nevertheless, their performance was an enthusiastic one, gutsy almost military sounding with lots of clapping, swaying, arms held aloft and punching in the air both by Anastasiya and her singers. All were clearly proud to be singing about their beloved motherland.
In my view
Belarus this year will be remembered for all the wrong reasons, and I for one found it hard to take them seriously. It will have a hard time qualifying from the second semi and if it does manage this extraordinary feat, then that must surely be down to help from their slavic brothers and not based on musical merit.
The opinion expressed in "In my view" are those of the author and are not necessarily the one of EuroVisionary.com.
